TRANSPORT chiefs have thrown their support behind two Ipswich bus routes.

Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) is helping to fund services between the town centre and two suburbs.

It is paying for hourly Sunday and Bank Holiday buses serving south-east Ipswich, which have been cut by Suffolk County Council. The 4 and 4a services - which will run from Ipswich railway station to the Rivers Estate via Gainsborough - will be funded on a trial basis for a year.

Council bosses are also continuing to fund half the cost of the 31 service, which runs between the town centre and the Bloomfield Street area.

Councillor Tanya de Hoedt, transport portfolio holder at IBC, said: “This is a major commitment to public transport in Ipswich by this council.

“We recognise the significant importance of service 31, which is a lifeline to many vulnerable people in the town and we will do everything necessary to keep this service going.

“We were also disappointed to see the withdrawal of subsidies for several routes in south-east Ipswich on Sundays, leaving large parts of this area with no service.

“Clearly, like all councils, we have to act under considerable financial restraints but we believe it is important to support residents where we can.

“Many residents without cars rely on the bus services to get them into town on a Sunday and would have been left with no alternatives.

“I appreciate that this new service is less frequent than the three services currently running but it is a service that the council can financially support for this year.

“I would therefore encourage everyone to use this service to help secure its future.”

The Sunday and Bank Holiday service for south-east Ipswich will begin on April 3.